Chelsea, Arsenal in line for transfer boost as Barcelona 'request information' on £144m-rated attacker

Hansi Flick's side currently boast the meanest attack in La Liga as they sit at the summit of the Spanish top-flight standings, edging out Real Madrid on account of their superior head-to-head record.

The Blaugrana have struck a whopping 67 times in the 2024-25 La Liga campaign, thanks in no small parts to the astounding efforts of Lamine Yamal, Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha up front.

However, Barcelona are thought to be keen to strengthen their attacking ranks further ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, as they announced on Friday that they have agreed a deal to sell Vitor Roque to Palmeiras.

In addition, former starlet Ansu Fati is likely to be on the chopping block this summer after Barca failed to find a buyer for him in January, while Ferran Torres has been linked with Arsenal and Chelsea.

Barcelona 'request information' on Leao signing

The Gunners and the Blues may have just been handed a boost in their bids to sign Torres, as journalist Nico Schira claims that Barca have 'requested information' on his possible replacement Leao.

The Portugal international's future at San Siro has seldom not been called into question, although he briefly put a stop to such speculation in 2023, signing a new deal until the summer of 2028.

Those terms also include a release clause worth a reported €175m (£144.4m), but that has apparently not stopped Barcelona from making the first move, although they are yet to enter official talks or submit a bid.

Leao is understood to have rejected a 'very rich' offer from an unnamed Saudi Pro League team last month, which would have seen him substantially increase his current €7m (£5.8m) yearly wage at AC Milan.

The 25-year-old was heavily linked with a move to the Premier League before penning his new contract, but both Chelsea and Arsenal could stand to benefit from his possible move to Barca, who would likely be more receptive to moving Torres on if they can strike a deal.

A breakdown of Leao's achievements at AC Milan

Long hailed as one of the most effervescent attacking talents on the continent during his time in Milan, Leao has directly contributed to 120 goals in 247 games for the Rossoneri, averaging a goal or assist almost every two games.

The winger has struck 68 of his own while setting up 52 more in the black and red shirt, particularly excelling during the 2021-22 season as he led Milan to the Serie A title and earned the division's MVP award.

Leao has since made the Serie A Team of the Year in each of the past two seasons too, although his numbers have been respectable but not remarkable this term, registering 10 goals and seven assists in 37 games.

The ex-Lille man could not prevent Milan from crashing out of the Champions League to Feyenoord in the playoffs, though, and Sergio Conceicao's side are only eighth in the Serie A table, eight points off the top four.

Failure to qualify for Europe could very well force the Rossoneri to contemplate a sale for less than his nine-figure release clause, potentially music to the ears of Barcelona as they continue to tread thin financial tightropes.

Written by

Ben Knapton